Baby Rattlers Take Home The 2015 2A State Championship
By Eric M. Winkfield
Special to the Outlook
FAMU DRS Lady Rattlers brought home the state championship for the third time in the last five years.
On Feb. 19, the FAMU DRS ladies’ basketball team took on the Grandview Prep Basketball team in Lakeland, FL.
With their heads held high and slight feelings of championship anxiety the Baby Rattlers rose above it all and redeemed their title by winning the game 44-17.
“This is my last time to put on a FAMU DRS jersey to play so I gave it my all and did what I had to do,” said Ja’Nyia McNealy, senior shooting guard.
The Baby Rattlers closed the first half of the game leading by 36-9.
“We got in the gym early. We worked hard. Did the basics and perfected our plays,” said Lakrista Walker, number 3 on the FAMU DRS Baby Rattler team.
Hard work, dedication and teamwork were surely what went into pulling off the win.
“I definitely had some of my ups and downs throughout the season. But as time went on, I got better and better. My teammates are like big sisters to me and they helped me along the way,”said Walker.
In her first year returning as her alma-mater’s Head Coach of the Ladies’ Basketball team, Ericka Cromartie says she kept the spirit of true team work and added a little more discipline to the teams dynamic, which she believes helped them earn their third championship title.
“The strategy is start off training to get prepared mentally and physically for this season,” says Cromartie.
The FAMU DRS Ladies’ basketball team won the Class 2A championship in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, they loss against Grandview Prep but seriously redeemed themselves this year.
The team thanks all of Rattler Nation and the City of Tallahassee for all of their support.
“It feels great that we won this one but I am ready for a fourth,” said Jasmine Jones, junior shooting guard.
